Apparatus and method for assembling brushes and the like

ABSTRACT

This disclosure depicts assembling apparatus and methods which are especially useful in joining a handle with a brush head or the like having an open-ended ferrule into which an end of the handle is inserted. In order to facilitate insertion of the handle into the ferrule, the ferrule is first compressed to distort its cross-sectional configuration such that it mates more closely with the cross-sectional configuration of the handle end. Other novel features and method steps are disclosed.

United States Patent [1 1 Hodgson [11] 3,747,983 [451 July 24,1973

1 1 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING BRUSHES AND THE LIKE [75]Inventor: William S.Hodgson, Hingham, Mass.

[73] Assignee: South Shore Machine Co., Inc.,

Braintree, Mass.

[22] Filed: Oct. 12, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 188,381

[52] US. Cl. 300/21, 300/20 [51] Int. Cl A4641 3/08 [58] Field of Search300/1, 10, 11, 20,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,348,303 10/1967 Umeda29/453 X 1,272,176 7/1918 Alexander...

611,340 9/1898 Smith 2,763,302 9/1956 English 269/238 X 3,172,141 3/1965Arena 300/21 X 3,233,313 2/1966 Roth 3,276,063 10/1966 Harrison3,514,843 6/1970 Cernik 29/453 X 3,525,139 8/1970 Foumier 29/453 X3,641,659 2/1972 Colgan 29/235 X Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer,Jr. Attorney-A1fred H. Rosen et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT This disclosure depicts assembling apparatus and methodswhich are especially useful in joining a handle with a brush-head or thelike having an open-ended ferrule into which an end of the handle isinserted. in order to facilitate insertion of the handle into theferrule, the ferrule is first compressed to distort its cross-sectionalconfiguration such that it mates more closely with the cross-sectionalconfiguration of the'handle end. Other novel features and method stepsare disclosed.

25 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures Patented July 24, 1973 3,747,983

4 Sheets-Sheet l My a F/G Z Patented July 24, 1973 v 3,747,983

4 Sheets$heet 2 Patented July 24, 1973 4 Shoots-Sheet 5 Patented July24, 1973 3,747,983

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING BRUSHES AND THELIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION end and which is open at the other end.The handle has at one end a cross-sectional configuration which closelymates with the cross-sectional configuration of the open end of theferrule.

Present commercially available brush assembly machines for assembliingpaint brushes have a number of design deficiencies which result inexcessively high machine down times and piece rejection rates.

Paint brush assembling machines of the type described must perform thefollowing operations: 1) move a ferrule into a handle insertion station;2) position the ferrule accurately; 3) hold the ferrule securely; 4)firmly and accurately jam a handle into the prepositioned ferrule; 5)fasten the ferrule to the handle; and 6) remove the finished assembly.Some of the complicating factors which make this assembly task moredifficult involve the fact that the handles may have an irregularcross-sectional configuration, or perhaps more serious, the ferrule maybe defective or somewhat irregular in its cross-sectional configuration.For example, in paint brushes of the type wherein the bristles arecaptured in a body of epoxy, if the epoxy casting process is notperformed properly, the ferrule can assume an abnormally bowed orconcave cross-sectional configuration.

Prior art brush assembling machines of the most popular type haveattempted to hold the ferrule in place by means of a small ridgeextending from the ferrule support table, which ridge engages a rearedge of the ferrule. If the ferrule to be loaded happens to be bowed orconcave, or the ridge will not properly align the ferrule with theresult that when the handle is thrust toward the ferrule, it will notenter the ferrule and is apt to cause the machine to jam. Other seriousshortcomings of today's and yesterdays brush-assembling machine arediscussed below. In short, present-day assembling machines are incapableof holding the ferrules and inserting handles therein with the degree ofprecision and accuracy necessary to insure reliable and consistentassembly operation.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provideimproved methods and apparatus for joining a male member with resilienttubular member of mating cross-sectional configuration, especially forassembling paint brushes or the like.

It is another object of this invention to provide methods and apparatusfor joining a male member having a predetermined cross-sectionalconfiguration with a resilient tubular member having a cross-sectionalconfiguration which mates with said cross-sectional configuration of themale member when the tubular member is given a predetermined distortion.

It is still another object to provide paint brush assembling apparatuswhich is faster and more reliable, has a substantially lower piecerejection rate, and requires less labor and maintenance than present andpast brush assembling apparatus.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide improved apparatususeful in assembling paint brushes and the like which is capable offirmly and accurately positioning a ferrule to be loaded and whichautomatically aligns the ferrule prior to a clamping operation.

It is another object to provide brush assembling apparatus of the typedescribed which is capable of loading ferrules irregular in theircross-section due to epoxy overfilling or underfilling or which haveepoxy leaks, and which is adjustable to handling assembly components ofdifferent sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of theinvention, reference may be had to the following detailed descriptiontaken in connection 7 with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially schematic perspective view of apparatus forassembling brushes according to the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a handle ram structure shown inFIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-5 are diagrammatic views showing the manner in which novelferrule clamping means according to this invention receive, position,and clamp a ferrule in position for loading by a handle;

FIG. 5A is a partial section on line 5A-5A of FIG.

FIG. 5B illustrates a detail providing for an end product ejectingmechanism; and

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate alternative'embodiments of the teachings of thisinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1-5 illustrate structurerepresenting a preferred implementation of the principles of thisinvention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paint brush assemblymachine 10 for inserting paint brush handles, one of which is shown at12, into pre-assembled brush head assemblies 14, and for nailing thebrush head assembly 14 onto the inserted handle.

The brush head assemblies 14 with which this invention is concernedcustomarily comprise a resilient tubular member, hereinafter termed aferrule 16, having a flattened cylindrical cross-sectional configurationwhich holds at one end a collection of brush bristles l8 captured in acast epoxy resin (or other suitable binder). The opposite end of theferrule 16 is open and is adapted to receive the forward end 19 of thepaint brush handle 12. The end 19 of the handle 12 has a cross-sectionalconfiguration which mates with the cross-sectional configuration of theopen end of the ferrule 16.

The FIG. 1 machine will be described in terms of the sequence ofoperations it performs. Brush head assemblies 14 are fed from a hopper20 to an assembly station 21 by means of a feeder device, here shownschematically in the formof a pneumatically driven push member22,'controlled from the machines electronic con trol center (not shown).The manner in which a brush head assembly 14 enters the assembly station21 will be described in more detail hereinafter. At the assembly station21 there is disposed clamping apparatus according to this invention foraligning, positioning and compressing the brush head assembly 14(described in detail below), and other means for fastening the assembly14 to the handle 12.

The fastening means is shown as a nailing mechanism comprising a pair oflaterally adjustable nailing devices 23, 24 of conventionalconstruction. Nails are fed to the nailing devices 23, 24 throughgravity supply tubes 25a, 25b. Hammer rods 26a, 26b drive the nails. The

nailing devices 23, 24 do not per se constitute a part of thisinvention, nor are nailing devices required to practice the invention.

After the brush head assembly 14 has been clamped, a ram assembly 27 isactivated to drive the forward end 19 of the handle 12 into the open endof the ferrule 16 positioned in the assembly station 21. The ramassembly 27 is illustrated as comprising a driver 28 having a pair ofplunger rods 30, 32 driven by a pair of fluid cylinders 34, 36controlled by the machines control center (not shown). The driver 28includes a pair of wheels, one of which is shown at 38, which run intracks 42, 44 to support and guide the driver 28. A slider 46 pivotallyconnected to the forward end of the driver 28 (see FIG. 2) includes apair of arms 48, 50 and a recess 52 for confining the rearmost end ofthe handle 12 during the ramming operation.

The tip of the slider 46, here shown as constituting the tips of thearms 48, 50, slides on the top surface 53 j of work table 54. Inaccordance with one aspect of this invention, handles of differentthicknesses are accommodated by adjusting the elevation of the table 54,here shown schematically as being accomplished by means of a screwmechanism 56. Adjustment of the table elevation causes the slider 46 topivot and maintain the back 55 of the recess 52 at a central locationelevationwise on the back of the handle. It can be seen that for a givenelevational displacement of the table 54, the back 55 of the recess 52is displaced by a fraction of the table displacement, as determined bythe location of the back 55 of the recess 52 relative to the ends of theslider 46. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the back 55 of therecess 52 is centrally located on the slider 46 such that itselevational displacement is always one-half of the elevationaldisplacement of the table 54.

A central aspect of this invention concerns the provision of improvedmeans for automatically and accurately positioning and aligning atubular member, here exemplified by the ferrule 16 of a paint brush headassembly 14, irrespective of the attitude of the ferrule 16 as it is fedfrom its storage hopper 20, and irrespective of certain irregularitiesand defects in the assemblies 14 and handles 12 which would be apt tojam brush assembly machines of the commercially available types.

Commercially available brush assembly machines of the most popular typeattempt to position the ferrules of brush head assemblies by means of anintermittently driven feed belt or chain. A rear edge of the ferrule isengaged by a ridge or other abutment to hold the ferrule against thestrong driving thrust of a ram as it inserts a handle into the ferrule.It is well known that such machines are plagued by poor reliability,frequent jamming, high maintenance requirements, and high piecerejection rate.

Among the primary causes of the deficiencies in present brush assemblingapparatus are the following. First, because of the frequent occurrenceof bowed, concave, or otherwise irregular brush head assemblies, theabutting edge or lip which is called upon to support the fer rule isincapable of holding or of aligning the ferrule, with the result thatwhen the handle is thrust toward the ferrule, a proper insertion doesnot take place.

Secondly, the use of an edge or other abutment behind an edge of theferrule is ahighly inadequate means forclamping a ferrule against thestrong thrust of the handle-driving ram. Thirdly, a feeder belt as ameans of positioning the ferrules is incapable of consistently locatingthe ferrules with the accuracy necessary to insure reliable, efficientoperation of such machines.

I have discovered that if the ferrule is given a predetermineddistortion, as by a compression thereof along the major cross-sectionalaxis of the ferrule, the handle may be inserted into the ferrule withrelative ease, and with much less ferrule/handle interference than ifthe handle is jammed into the ferrule by brute force. As explained, themethods and implementing apparatus in present use are notably unreliablein spite of the fact that the forward ends of handles are customarilygiven a taper in order to make insertion easier. The tapering operationadds a not insignificant cost to the end product.

In accordance with this invention clamping means 58 as illustrated inFIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 5A are provided for compressing a ferrule or othertubular member along a first cross-sectional axis so as to give theferrule a predetermined distortion in the form of a shortening of theferrule along the first cross-sectional axis and lengthening of theferrule along an orthogonal second crosssectional axis thereof. A largenumber of structures and mechanisms may be devised to implement theprinciples of this invention, as will be pointed out in connec tion witha subsequent discussion of possible alternative embodiments; thepreferred clamping means comprises a toggle mechanism defining paralleliirst and second reference axes 68, spaced a predetermined distanceapart, toggle means 60, 62 mounted to pivot about at least the firstreference axis, toggle motive means for causing a ferrule to be clampedand the said toggle means to pivot as a toggle linkage toward a plane PPthrough the reference axes. The dimensions of the ferrule and the togglemeans are caused to be such, relative to the distance separating thereference axes, that as the ferrule and toggle means are moved towardthe said plane a toggle action is produced causing the ferrule toreceive a compressive side loading along the first cross-sectional axis.

Whereas a number of toggle mechanisms may be devised which fall withinthe above description, in the preferred arrangement illustrated a pairof toggle links 60, 62 are pivotally mounted on a pair of frame members64, 65 by means of bolts 66, anchored in the frame members 64, 65 whichpass loosely through elongated openings (not shown) in the toggle links60, 62. The pivot axes 68, 70 of the links 60, 62 act as theabovedescribed reference axes. The toggle links 60, 62 have a length (inthe direction parallel to the axes 68, 70) which is substantially equalto the longest ferrule which the machine might be called upon to handle.End portions 72, 74 of the toggle links 60, 62 have face-to-faceclamping surfaces 76, 78 for engaging a ferrule therebetween.

In the illustrated application of the invention, namely the assembly ofpaint brushes, the tubular member (the ferrule 16) to be loaded has theparticular characteristic of being relatively hard at the end containingthe bristle binder, and being relatively resilient at the open end. Toaccommodate this discrepancy in resiliency, in accordance with thisinvention, resilient means such as rubber pads 80, 82 set into the faceof the clamping surfaces 76, 78 and located to engage the ferrule nearthe open end thereof, are provided for applying the deat the open end ofthe ferrule. The pads apply compressive force resiliently to the ferruleat the open end, while the clamping surfaces 76, 78 firmly hold theferrule at the other end, where the bristles 18 are bound in it. Theholding force may be as much as 400 or 500 pounds, while the resilientpads 80, 82 apply force more gently to the open end of the ferrule. Theferrule is thus distorted as is illustrated exaggerated in FIG. 5A. Thepads may also compensate for any asymmetric resiliency characteristic ofthe ferrule 16.

FIG. 3 illustrates the manner in which toggle link 60, by virtue of itsfree floating pivotal mounting, enables a brush head assembly 14 to bepassed beneath it without substantial interference. As the leading endof the ferrule 16 engages the bottom edge of the end portion 72 of thetoggle link 60, the toggle link is caused to pivot in a counterclockwisedirection and pass the ferrule.

FIG. 4 shows the ferrule at the end of the feed stroke resting inengagement with the clamping surface 78 of toggle link 62. The togglelink 60 has fallen under the influence of gravity to its rest position.The push member 22 has been retraced to its start position. The clampingoperation is initiated by effecting a relative movement between theferrule support surface, here shown as being the upper surface 53 oftable 54, and the toggle links 60, 62. In the illustrated preferredembodiment the toggle links 60, 62 are caused to be moved downwards, asby means of a pair of fluid cylinders, one of which is shown at 86 (seeFIG. 1), which moves the frame members 64, 65 supporting the togglelinks 60, 62 downwardly as a unit. As the frame members 64, 65 descend,the toggle links 60, 62 engage the surface 53 and are caused to pivot inopposite directions toward each other. The ferrule 16 is thusautomatically aligned parallel to the direction of movement of thedriver 28 of the ram assembly 27 and is also automatically positionedexactly on a center plane between the toggle links 60, 62.

As the frame members 64, 65 near the end of their downward stroke, thetoggle links 60, 62 and the ferrule 16 act as. a toggle linkage, causinga compressive loading to be placed on the sides of the ferrule along themajor cross-sectional axis thereof. More specifically, in theillustrated embodiment the closed end of the ferrule 16 experiences aclamping compressive loading while'the pads 80, 82 exert a resilientside loading on the ferrule near the open end thereof sufficient tocause it to bow, shown exaggerated in FIG. 5A. With the ferrule thusdistorted and securely clamped, the ram assembly is actuated, causingthe handle 12 to be thrust into the distorted open end of the ferrule16. A pair of guides 88, 90 insures that the forward end 19 of thehandle 12 is generally aligned with the open end of the ferrule 16. Asis shown in FIG. 1, a pair of final guides 92, 94 affixed to the forwardedges of the toggle scribed compressive forces to the ferrulepreferentially links 60, 62 effect a precise guiding of the forward end19 of the handle 12 into the open end of the ferrule 16. A split ramp 96extending upwardly from the upper surface 53 of the table 54 lifts theforward end 19 of the handle 12 over the bottom lip of the ferrule 16.

After insertion of the handle into the ferrule, the nailing devices 23,24 are activated, causing the ferrule 16 to be nailed to the forward end19 of the handle 12. Finally, the frame members 64, 65 are caused to beelevated, thus releasing the assembled brush, which may be removed orejected by any suitable mechanism (not shown). To facilitate ejection,the toggle link 62 may be elevated to pass the assembled brush as by afluidoperated cylinder 164 to drive a crank 166 connected to the togglelink 62, shown in FIG. 5B.

In operation, upon command from the machine's control center thecylinder v164 is activated causing the toggle link 62 to be raised, andthe assembled brush may then by moved thereunder into a collectionstation (not shown). To accomodate brushes of different,

widths, the frame members 64, 65 may be made movable toward and awayfrom each other in their support 152. A reverse-threaded screw 154 ofwell known form, shown in FIG. 3, may be used for this purpose.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention employinga toggle mechanism having a single link 98, rather than a pair of togglelinks. In the FIG. 6 embodiment, a frame member 100 is causedto belowered to effect the clamping action; the abutment 102 is stationary.FIG. 6 teaches the use of an extension 103 which makes possibleapplication of the invention to the loading of relatively thick (in adepth-wise sense) tubular members. As the framing member 100 is lowered,the extension 103 engages the ferrule and inititates rotation of thetoggle link 98 before the tip of the toggle link engages the ferrulesupport surface. By this expedient there is insured engagement of thetoggle link 98 on the major cross-sectional axis of the ferrule, ratherthan beneath it as might be the case if the extension 103 were notemployed.

It is contemplated that an extension such as shown at 103 in FIG. 6 beadded to the toggle links 60, 62 in the FIG. 1 embodiment; however, inthe interest of simplifying the description of the basic inventiveconcept, such extensions have been omitted from that embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment, wherein relative motionbetween a toggle link 104 and a ferrule support surface 106 is producedby causing a'pivotally mounted table l08'to be driven by a pneumaticcylinder 110. A feeder mechanism 112 feeds a ferrule 114 along thesurface 106 of the table 108 into the clamping position. The ferrule 114is caused to be clamped and given a predetermined distortion by rotationof the table 108 by the cylinder 110.

FIG. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention wherein aspring-loaded plunger 116 driven by a radial cam 118 applies apredetermined compressive side loading on a tubular member 120.

The FIG. 9 embodiment employs a pair of plungers 122, 124 driven byapair of pneumatic cylinders 126, 128 against a spacing member 130 toexert a predetermined side loading on ferrule 132.

FIG. 10 illustrates still another arrangement by which a compressiveside loading may be applied to a tubular member such as ferrule 134. Inthe FIG. 10 arrangement downward motion of a rod 136, driven for exampleby a pneumatic cylinder 138, effects a toggle action causing clampingsurfaces 140, 142 on a pair of linkage arms 144, 146 to be moved towardeach other a predetermined distance.

The invention is not limited to the particular details of constructionof the embodiments depicted, and it is contemplated that various andother modifications and applications will occur to those skilled in theart. Therefore, because certain changes may be made in theabove-described apparatus without departing from the true spirit andscope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that the subjectmatter of the above depiction shall be interpreted as illustrative andnot in a limiting sense. For example, while in order to simplifyillustration of the invention the nailing means shown employs nailingdevices 23, 24 on only one side of the brush assembly 12, 14, it will beunderstood that the improved nailer of my joint application with DonaldE. Dupee, Ser. No. 125,753 filed Mar. 18, 1971, may be fitted, forsimultaneously nailing at both sides of the ferrule 16 when the handle12 is located in it. Moreover, while nailing devicesare illustrated asfastening means, it will be appreciated that staking means can be usedinstead. Wherever fluid drive mechanisms are shown, other forms of drivemechanisms-cg, me chanical or electrical, could be substituted.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for attaching an essentially rigid handle to a paint brushhead or the like having a tubular ferrule which holds a collection ofbristles at one end and is open at the other end, the ferrule beingresilient at the open end so that its cross-sectional configuration atthe open end can be distorted by pressure applied to its side at theopen end, the handle having at one end for mating with said ferrule across-sectional configuration which mates with the cross-sectionalconfiguration of the open end of said ferrule when said pressure isapplied to said open end to give a predetermined distortion to thecross-section configuration thereof, said apparatus comprising: means tolocate said paint brush head with the open end of said ferrule orientedto receive the mating end of a handle; means to apply said pressure tocompress said ferrule while so located along a selected cross-sectionalaxis thereof so as to give said ferrule said predetermined distortion byshortening its cross-sectional dimension along said axis; means tolocate a handle with said mating end thereof oriented toward said openend of said ferrule; means to advance said handle toward said ferrule toinsert said mating end thereof into said open end of said ferrule whilesaid ferrule is held in its said distorted state; means to fasten theferrule to said handle; and means to release said pressure to allow theferrule to return toward its unstressed state.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said pressure-applying meansis included in clamping means for firmly holding said ferrule at the endhaving said bristles and for resiliently applying said pressure tocompress said ferrule at said open end.

3. The apparatus defined by claim 2 wherein said clamping means includesmeans defining parallel first and second reference axes spaced apredetermined distance apart, toggle means mounted to pivot around atleast said first reference axis, toggle motive means for causing saidtubular member and said toggle means to pivot as a toggle linkage towarda plane through said reference axes, the dimensions of said tubularmember and said toggle means being such relative to said distanceseparating said reference axes, that as said tubular member and togglemeans are moved toward said plane, a toggle action is produced causingsaid tubular member to receive a compressive side loading along saidfirst cross-sectional axis.

4. The apparatus defined by claim 3 wherein said toggle means comprisesa pair of toggle links mounted to pivot respectively about said firstand second reference axes and positioned and dimensioned to engage atubular member between free ends thereof.

5. The apparatus defined by claim 3 wherein said toggle motive meansincludes means having a support surface for supporting said tubularmember and means for effecting motion between support surface relativeto at least one of said reference axes so as to produce the toggleaction described.

6. The apparatus defined by claim 4 wherein said toggle motive meansincludes a table for supporting said tubular member and means foreffecting relative movement between said toggle arms and said table tocause said toggle arms to engage said table and pivot toward said plane.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a table, means to locatesaid brush head on said table, said pressure applying means includingclamping members adjacent said table for squeezing said ferrule betweenthem while located on said table, a ram member having a generallyV-shaped recess for locating said handle on said table and for pushingagainst the end of said handle remote from said mating end, and means todrive said ram member toward said open end of said ferrule.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 including adjusting means foradjusting the elevation of a part of said ram means relative to saidtable to compensate for varying thickness of said handle.

9. The apparatus defined by claim 8 wherein said adjusting meanscomprises means for varying the elevation of said table, said ram meanscomprising an elevationally stationary body and a forward end memberpivotally connected at one end to said body and having its other endfree and in engagement with said table so as to slide thereon when theelevation of said table is varied relative to said body, said forwardend member having a recess therein, the back of said recess beingintermediate the ends of said forward-end member such that for a givenelevational displacement of said table, said back of said recess isdisplaced by a fraction of the table displacement determined by thelocation of said back of said recess relative to the ends of saidforwardend member.

10. Apparatus for attaching a handle on a paint brush head or the likehaving a resilient tubular ferrule with a flattened cylindricalcross-sectional configuration which holds a collection of bristles atone end and which is open at the other end, the handle having at one enda cross-sectional configuration which mates with said cross-sectionalconfiguration of the open end of said ferrule when said ferrule is givena predetermined distortion, said apparatus comprising:

clamping means for compressing said ferrule along a majorcross-sectional axis thereof so as to give said ferrule saidpredetermined distortion by shortening said ferrule along said majoraxis and lengthening said ferrule along an orthogonal minor axisthereof, said clamping means comprising:

means defining parallel first and second reference axes spaced apredetermined distance apart,

a pair of toggle links which pivot respectively about said first andsecond reference axes and which are positioned and dimensioned forengaging a ferrule between the free ends thereof,

toggle motive means for causing said ferrule and I said toggle arms topivot as a toggle linkage toward a plane through said reference axes,comprising a table for supporting said ferrule and means for moving saidreference axes and said toggle links as a unit toward said table tocause said toggle links to engage said table and be pivoted toward saidplane, the dimensions of said ferrule and said toggle links being suchrelative to said distance separatingsaid reference axes, that as saidferrule and said toggle links are moved toward said plane, a toggleaction is produced causing said ferrule to receive a compressive sideloading along said major cross-sectional axis thereof;

means for inserting said handle into the ferrule while distorted; and

means for releasing the compressing forces on said ferrule to allow theferrule to return toward its unstressed state.

11. Apparatus according to claim including means to alter the distancebetween said reference axes.

12. The apparatus defined by claim 10 wherein said toggle links eachhave an operative surface along said free end for engaging a side ofsaid ferrule and resilient means extending forward of said surface in adiscrete portion of said operative surface which is located to engagesaid ferrule near the open end thereof such that said compressive forcesare applied to said ferrule resiliently at the open end of the ferrule,and firmly at the other end for holding the ferrule while said handle isbeing inserted.

13. The apparatus defined by claim 12 wherein said means for insertingsaidhandle includes a pair of convergent guide structures for guidingthe forward end of the handle into said tubular ferrule and drivingmeans having a generally V-shaped recess for holding and guiding therearward end of the handle during insertion of the handle into theferrule.

14. The apparatus defined by claim 13 including a table for supportingsaid ferrule and said handle and means to adjust the driving meansrelative to said table to compensate for varying thickness of handles.

15. The apparatus defined by claim 10 including means for fastening saidferrule to said handle, and means for ejecting the assembled paintbrush.

16. The apparatus defined by claim 15 wherein said means for ejectingincludes means for raising one of said toggle links.

17. A method for attaching a handle on a paint brush head assembly orthe like having a resilient tubular ferrule with a flattened cylindricalcross-sectional configuration which holds a collection of bristles atone end and which is open at the other end, the handle having at one enda cross-sectional configuration which mates with said cross-sectionalconfiguration of the open end of said ferrule when said ferrule is givena predetermined distortion, said method comprising:

compressing said ferrule along a major crosssectional axis thereof so asto give said ferrule said predetermined distortion by shortening saidferrule along said major axis and lengthening said ferrule along anorthogonal minor axis thereof;

inserting said end of said handle into the open end of said ferrulewhile said ferrule is held in its distorted state;

fastening the ferrule to said handle; and

releasing the compressive forces on the ferrule to allow the ferrule toreturn toward its unstressed state.

18. Apparatus according to claim 1 including guide means adjacent thepath of advance of said handle for guiding said mating end of saidhandle into said open end of said ferrule.

19. Apparatus accordingto claim 1 in which said means to advance saidhandle includes a ram member having a generally V-shaped recess forlocating and pushing against the end of said handle remote from saidmating end, and means to drive said ram member toward said open end ofsaid ferrule.

20. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a pair of guide memberslocated one on each side of the path of advance of said handle, a rammember having a generally V-shaped recess for locating and pushingagainst the end of said handle remote from said mating end, saidV-shaped recess being oriented to so locate said handle that said matingend is oriented toward said open end-thereof and will advance betweensaid guide members when said ram member is advanced toward said open endof said ferrule, and means to drive said ram member toward said open endof said ferrule.

21. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said handle is tapered atsaid mating end for relatively loose entry into said open end of saidferrule while the latter is under resilient compression, and said meansto advance said handle drives said handle into said ferrule against saidresilient compression for a tight fit therein while said ferrule isfirmly held at the end having said bristles.

22. Apparatus according to claim 20 in which said pressure applyingmeans in included in clamping means for firmly holding said ferrule atthe end having said bristles and for resiliently applying said pressureto compress said ferrule at said open end, the handle being tapered forrelatively loose entry into said open end while the latter is underresilient compression, and said drive means is arranged to drive saidhandle into said ferrule against said resilient compression for a tightfit therein while said ferrule is firmly held at the end having saidbristles.

23. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said brush head locatingmeans includes a table for receiving said brush head, and said clampingmeans includes at least one toggle means mounted to pivot around an axison a member arranged to move toward said table and means to bring saidtable and said member toward each other with a brush head between themfor pivoting said toggle means around said axis to apply said pressureto said ferrule.

24. Apparatus according toclaim l in which said brush head locatingmeans includes a table for receiving said brush head, and said pressureapplying means includes clamping members adjacent said table forsqueezing said ferrule between them while located on said table.

25. A method for attaching a handle on a paint brush head assembly orthe like having a resilient tubular ferrule with a flattened cylindricalcross-sectional configualong an orthogonal minor axis thereof;

inserting said end of said handle into the open end of said ferrulewhile said ferrule is held in its distorted state;

releasing the compressive forces on the ferrule to allow the ferrule toreturn toward its unstressed state; and

' fastening the ferrule to said handle.

mg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF ORRECTION Patent No. 3, 747 9 3 Dated JUUL 24. 1973 lnvent fl WILLIAM S. HODGSON It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

r Co1umn 1, line 19 change "assembh'ing" to -assembhng-- line 49, afterf'present day" insert "brush-- Co1umn 4, Hne 40, change "first" to--f1'rst-- Signed and sealed this 19th day of March 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. Apparatus for attaching an essentially rigid handle to a paint brushhead or the like having a tubular ferrule which holds a collection ofbristles at one end and is open at the other end, the ferrule beingresilient at the open end so that its crosssectional configuration atthe open end can be distorted by pressure applied to its side at theopen end, the handle having at one end for mating with said ferrule across-sectional configuration which mates with the cross-sectionalconfiguration of the open end of said ferrule when said pressure isapplied to said open end to give a predetermined distortion to thecrosssection configuration thereof, said apparatus comprising: means tolocate said paint brush head with the open end of said ferrule orientedto receive the mating end of a handle; means to apply said pressure tocompress said ferrule while so located along a seleCted cross-sectionalaxis thereof so as to give said ferrule said predetermined distortion byshortening its cross-sectional dimension along said axis; means tolocate a handle with said mating end thereof oriented toward said openend of said ferrule; means to advance said handle toward said ferrule toinsert said mating end thereof into said open end of said ferrule whilesaid ferrule is held in its said distorted state; means to fasten theferrule to said handle; and means to release said pressure to allow theferrule to return toward its unstressed state.
 2. Apparatus according toclaim 1 in which said pressure-applying means is included in clampingmeans for firmly holding said ferrule at the end having said bristlesand for resiliently applying said pressure to compress said ferrule atsaid open end.
 3. The apparatus defined by claim 2 wherein said clampingmeans includes means defining parallel first and second reference axesspaced a predetermined distance apart, toggle means mounted to pivotaround at least said first reference axis, toggle motive means forcausing said tubular member and said toggle means to pivot as a togglelinkage toward a plane through said reference axes, the dimensions ofsaid tubular member and said toggle means being such relative to saiddistance separating said reference axes, that as said tubular member andtoggle means are moved toward said plane, a toggle action is producedcausing said tubular member to receive a compressive side loading alongsaid first cross-sectional axis.
 4. The apparatus defined by claim 3wherein said toggle means comprises a pair of toggle links mounted topivot respectively about said first and second reference axes andpositioned and dimensioned to engage a tubular member between free endsthereof.
 5. The apparatus defined by claim 3 wherein said toggle motivemeans includes means having a support surface for supporting saidtubular member and means for effecting motion between support surfacerelative to at least one of said reference axes so as to produce thetoggle action described.
 6. The apparatus defined by claim 4 whereinsaid toggle motive means includes a table for supporting said tubularmember and means for effecting relative movement between said togglearms and said table to cause said toggle arms to engage said table andpivot toward said plane.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 including atable, means to locate said brush head on said table, said pressureapplying means including clamping members adjacent said table forsqueezing said ferrule between them while located on said table, a rammember having a generally V-shaped recess for locating said handle onsaid table and for pushing against the end of said handle remote fromsaid mating end, and means to drive said ram member toward said open endof said ferrule.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 including adjustingmeans for adjusting the elevation of a part of said ram means relativeto said table to compensate for varying thickness of said handle.
 9. Theapparatus defined by claim 8 wherein said adjusting means comprisesmeans for varying the elevation of said table, said ram means comprisingan elevationally stationary body and a forward end member pivotallyconnected at one end to said body and having its other end free and inengagement with said table so as to slide thereon when the elevation ofsaid table is varied relative to said body, said forward end memberhaving a recess therein, the back of said recess being intermediate theends of said forward-end member such that for a given elevationaldisplacement of said table, said back of said recess is displaced by afraction of the table displacement determined by the location of saidback of said recess relative to the ends of said forward-end member. 10.Apparatus for attaching a handle on a paint brush head or the likehaving a resilient tubular ferrule with a flattened cylindricalcross-sectional configuration which holds a collection of bristles atoNe end and which is open at the other end, the handle having at one enda cross-sectional configuration which mates with said cross-sectionalconfiguration of the open end of said ferrule when said ferrule is givena predetermined distortion, said apparatus comprising: clamping meansfor compressing said ferrule along a major cross-sectional axis thereofso as to give said ferrule said predetermined distortion by shorteningsaid ferrule along said major axis and lengthening said ferrule along anorthogonal minor axis thereof, said clamping means comprising: meansdefining parallel first and second reference axes spaced a predetermineddistance apart, a pair of toggle links which pivot respectively aboutsaid first and second reference axes and which are positioned anddimensioned for engaging a ferrule between the free ends thereof, togglemotive means for causing said ferrule and said toggle arms to pivot as atoggle linkage toward a plane through said reference axes, comprising atable for supporting said ferrule and means for moving said referenceaxes and said toggle links as a unit toward said table to cause saidtoggle links to engage said table and be pivoted toward said plane, thedimensions of said ferrule and said toggle links being such relative tosaid distance separating said reference axes, that as said ferrule andsaid toggle links are moved toward said plane, a toggle action isproduced causing said ferrule to receive a compressive side loadingalong said major cross-sectional axis thereof; means for inserting saidhandle into the ferrule while distorted; and means for releasing thecompressing forces on said ferrule to allow the ferrule to return towardits unstressed state.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 10 includingmeans to alter the distance between said reference axes.
 12. Theapparatus defined by claim 10 wherein said toggle links each have anoperative surface along said free end for engaging a side of saidferrule and resilient means extending forward of said surface in adiscrete portion of said operative surface which is located to engagesaid ferrule near the open end thereof such that said compressive forcesare applied to said ferrule resiliently at the open end of the ferrule,and firmly at the other end for holding the ferrule while said handle isbeing inserted.
 13. The apparatus defined by claim 12 wherein said meansfor inserting said handle includes a pair of convergent guide structuresfor guiding the forward end of the handle into said tubular ferrule anddriving means having a generally V-shaped recess for holding and guidingthe rearward end of the handle during insertion of the handle into theferrule.
 14. The apparatus defined by claim 13 including a table forsupporting said ferrule and said handle and means to adjust the drivingmeans relative to said table to compensate for varying thickness ofhandles.
 15. The apparatus defined by claim 10 including means forfastening said ferrule to said handle, and means for ejecting theassembled paint brush.
 16. The apparatus defined by claim 15 whereinsaid means for ejecting includes means for raising one of said togglelinks.
 17. A method for attaching a handle on a paint brush headassembly or the like having a resilient tubular ferrule with a flattenedcylindrical cross-sectional configuration which holds a collection ofbristles at one end and which is open at the other end, the handlehaving at one end a cross-sectional configuration which mates with saidcross-sectional configuration of the open end of said ferrule when saidferrule is given a predetermined distortion, said method comprising:compressing said ferrule along a major cross-sectional axis thereof soas to give said ferrule said predetermined distortion by shortening saidferrule along said major axis and lengthening said ferrule along anorthogonal minor axis thereof; inserting said end of said handle intothe open end of said ferrule while said ferrUle is held in its distortedstate; fastening the ferrule to said handle; and releasing thecompressive forces on the ferrule to allow the ferrule to return towardits unstressed state.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 1 including guidemeans adjacent the path of advance of said handle for guiding saidmating end of said handle into said open end of said ferrule. 19.Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said means to advance saidhandle includes a ram member having a generally V-shaped recess forlocating and pushing against the end of said handle remote from saidmating end, and means to drive said ram member toward said open end ofsaid ferrule.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a pair ofguide members located one on each side of the path of advance of saidhandle, a ram member having a generally V-shaped recess for locating andpushing against the end of said handle remote from said mating end, saidV-shaped recess being oriented to so locate said handle that said matingend is oriented toward said open end thereof and will advance betweensaid guide members when said ram member is advanced toward said open endof said ferrule, and means to drive said ram member toward said open endof said ferrule.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said handleis tapered at said mating end for relatively loose entry into said openend of said ferrule while the latter is under resilient compression, andsaid means to advance said handle drives said handle into said ferruleagainst said resilient compression for a tight fit therein while saidferrule is firmly held at the end having said bristles.
 22. Apparatusaccording to claim 20 in which said pressure applying means in includedin clamping means for firmly holding said ferrule at the end having saidbristles and for resiliently applying said pressure to compress saidferrule at said open end, the handle being tapered for relatively looseentry into said open end while the latter is under resilientcompression, and said drive means is arranged to drive said handle intosaid ferrule against said resilient compression for a tight fit thereinwhile said ferrule is firmly held at the end having said bristles. 23.Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said brush head locating meansincludes a table for receiving said brush head, and said clamping meansincludes at least one toggle means mounted to pivot around an axis on amember arranged to move toward said table and means to bring said tableand said member toward each other with a brush head between them forpivoting said toggle means around said axis to apply said pressure tosaid ferrule.
 24. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said brushhead locating means includes a table for receiving said brush head, andsaid pressure applying means includes clamping members adjacent saidtable for squeezing said ferrule between them while located on saidtable.
 25. A method for attaching a handle on a paint brush headassembly or the like having a resilient tubular ferrule with a flattenedcylindrical cross-sectional configuration which holds a collection ofbristles at one end and which is open at the other end, the handlehaving at one end a cross-sectional configuration which mates with saidcross-sectional configuration of the open end of said ferrule when saidferrule is given a predetermined distortion, said method comprising:compressing said ferrule along a major cross-sectional axis thereof soas to give said ferrule said predetermined distortion by shortening saidferrule along said major axis and lengthening said ferrule along anorthogonal minor axis thereof; inserting said end of said handle intothe open end of said ferrule while said ferrule is held in its distortedstate; releasing the compressive forces on the ferrule to allow theferrule to return toward its unstressed state; and fastening the ferruleto said handle.